Cushion



Aug. 14, 1928. 1,680,963

M. E. WHITE CUSHION Filed Dec. l, 1925 zsheets-sneen 1 Patented Aug. 14,1928. l

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MUERK E. WHITE, OF HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR OFI ONE-HALF TOGEORGE W. FLEMING, 0F CLINTON, NORTH CAROLINA.

CUSHION.

Application led December This invention relatesv to cushionsl forautomobile seats and also for domestic and other uses.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a cushion ofthepneumatic type which lis so constructed as to regularly distribute orequalize the weight pressure imposed thereon When in use, and also toovercome deficiencies of cushions as found in this type now commonlyused.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cushionhaving a strong and durable structure and composed of parts made ofrubber compound fabric and rubber over which is applied a suitableupholstery covering or enclosure.

j A further object of the invention is to provide a cushion havingstructural means to prevent distortion thereof when in use and equalizeWear on the cushion and also sustain the weight of an individual withequality and comfort.

With the foregoing and other objects and advantages in view,L theinvention consists in the construction and arrangement of the severalparts which Will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a topplan view of a cushion for use in automobiles and `othervehicles and embodying the features of the invention, the cushion beingshown broken away in part and portions thereof illustrated by dottedlines.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the improved cushion shown broken awayand partially in section.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal vertical section of the cushion.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section of the same.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section on the line 5-5, Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a view taken on the plane of the line of section 6 6, Fig. 7,and illustrating part of the upholstery covering broken away and thebody of the cushion partly in horizontal section, and showing amodification thereof for domestic and general use.

Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal vertical section of the cushion shownby F ig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section on the line 8-8` Fig. 7.

The body of theV improved cushion as shown `by Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive,comprises 1, 1925. Serial No. 72,501.

a top 5 and bottom 6, spaced apart a suitable distance in accordancewith the general proportions and dimensions of the cushion andpreferably formed from a composite rubber fabric similar' to that usedin making casings of automobile tires, and extending from the oppositeend and side edges of the top 5 is a side and end rubber enclosure orweb 7, the upper edges of this enclosure or web being secured to the endand side edges of the top 5 by vulcanization as at 8. The enclosure orWeb 7, where it is attached to the top 5, forms .a flush jointure withthe latter, and the'bottom of this web or enclosure is turned under theend and side edge portions of the bottom 6 and secured by vulcanizationas at 9. In addition the body has around and secured to the upperextremity of the enclosure or web 7 a fabric attaching strip 10, whichnormally .a

projects over the ends and sides of the body a suitable distance. Thebottom 6 has an upper frame 11 applied thereto, and to this frame 11 issecured a frame 12` both frames being preferably of wood and having sidebars 14 and central, longitudinal and transverse brace bars 15 and 16.Each of the frames are of the same general structure, and between theframe 11 and the bottom 6 the lower terminal edge of the enclosure orweb 7 is secured, the said terminal being turned in as clearly shown byFig. 3. Centrally dividing the body is a rubber partition 17, whichextends from the top surface of the bottom 6 to a cross member 18,secured transversely in the top 5. The partition 17 will yield when thecushion is compressed and extends fully transversely across the body andforms two noncommunieating chambers 19 and 20, each of which has .an airvalve 21 opening thereinto. The cross member or strip 18 is secured tothe top 5 -by vulcanization 'and the lower edge of the partition 17 isalso secured, preferably by vulcanization, to the center of the topportion of the bottom 6.

Over the body as just described an upholstering covering is applied andconsists of a top piece 22, which is secured at itsend and side edges tothe normally projecting free portion of the fabric strip 10, and to thisstrip the remaining portion of the upholstering covering is connectedand consists of end and side strips 23 and 24. which have their upperedges turned inwardly and secured to the end and side edges of the pieceQ2 and then drawn downwardly and secured between the bottom frame 12 andthe upper frame 11, as at 24. then the side and end strips or pieces and2-1 are drawn downwardly, considerable tension is exerted thereon andthis tension results in also drawing down the end and side edges of thetop piece 22 and the free projecting edge or portion ot the fabric strip10, so that a rolled seam is provided around the cushion at the sidesand ends thereof. After the lower end and side edges of the side and endpieces or strips 23 and 21 are inserted between the bottom frame 12 andthe upper frame 11, which form the base or supporting structure of thecushion, the said frame 12 is secured to the frame 11 and at the4 sametime the lower terminal edges of the end strips or pieces 2?) and Q-Land the lower edge of the enclosure or web 7 are all further secured b vinserting screws or analogous fastening devices through these severalparts. 'lhe air valves 21 project outwardly through the end strips orpieces Q3 and are accessible from the exterior ot' theupholsteringcovering for application thereto of an air pump or othermeans for charging the chambers or cells 19 and Q0 with air underpressure that will operate to sustain the weight of the user of thecushion. and it will be understood that the amount of air introducedwill be proportionate to a certain maximum weight pressure but at thesame time the cushion top will be permitted to yield sufficiently toaccord comfort to the person who may be using the same. By interposingthe partition 1T in the cushion as hereinbefore specified. the air inthe chambers or cells 19 and 2() will be contined to c miparativelysmall enclosing areas. and by this means distortion or irregulardepression of the cushion when weight pressure is imposed thereon willbe obviated. Vhen the cushion is used, the pai-tion 17, being of rubber.will yield without resistance or will not interpose any rigidobstruiL-tion at the transverse center of the cushion. The end and sidestrips or pieces Q23 and may be composed of one or more sections of anupholstering covering and the color and pattern of the same may bevaried indelinitely. It will also be understood that by interposing therubber enclosure or web 7 between the top and the bottom 6. which are ofstitler or less yielding material. the cushion at the sides and endswill also yield, and the side and end rubber enclosures or webs as wellas the partition 17. being of rubber. will tend. when the cushion isrelieved of pressure, to resume their normal positions or restore thecushion to its normal shape. At any time found necessary the air chargeof the chambers or cells 19 and 20 may be replenished and the cushionmaintained in proper form.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 show a modification of the cushion, or a cushion thatis adapted for domestic and other uses, and while this modilied form ofcushion is shown as being of rectangular contour, it may be of any shapedesired and varied in proportions and general dimensions. In thismodified structure the body comprises a bottom :'26, which is of thesame structure or material as the bottom G heretofore described, but inthis form of the cushion the top 27 and ends and sides 28 and 2t) areformed of rubber, the said ends and sides heilig preferably ofcontinuous formation with the top 27. Furthermore, the partition 17heretofore described is eliminated, but adjacent to the end and sideportions of the top, or where the latter is turned over to form the endsand sides around the body, a fabric securing strip 80, in all respectssimilar to the strip 10 shown in the irsty form oil the cushion, isattached, the edge portion of the strip 3() being projected beyond thetop 27 a sullicient distance to serve as a securing means for the toppiece 31 and end and side piece 32 of the upholstering covering, the endand side strip 32 being continued into or havingr -a bottom piece $53secured thereto, so that this moditied form of the cushion is fullyencased by upholstering material. rflic lower edge of the end and sideportions 28 and 29 are sccured against the end and side edge p0rtions ofthe bottom Q6 by vulcanization as at 3f?. In this form of the cushion,also, a single chamber or air cell 3l is provided, and at one end of thecushion is an air valve 35. adapted to be connected with a pump or othersuitable means for charging the cell 34 with air as found necessary. 1twill be seen that this modified form of the cushion provides a verycompact and durable seat for general use or service, and distortionthereof will be prevented by the air charge within the chamber or cell31, but atthe same time the cushion will have a yielding movementsuilicient to render the same comfortable as a supporting means.

The t'abric strip 1() as disclosed by Figs. 1 to inclusive, and thecorresponding .strip 3() illustrated b v Figs. to 8. inclusive. is anadvantageous feature of the present iniprovement in that it serves as aconvenient means for applying the upholstering covering over the top andat the sides and ends of the. cushion in its two forms and also operatesto maintain the top corta-ing piece 22 in proper stressed conditionrelatively to the top of the body of the cushion. This strip alsoprovides means for permitting the side and end portions of theupholsteriner to be drawn with sullicient tautness over theeorresponding parts of the body to form a neat finish and a practicalattaching ine'ans which will avoid the necessity of puncturing the partsof the body over which the upholster ing covering is applied, in View ofthe fact that the body, in accordance with the features of theinvention, should be preserved in air-tight condition in order to renderthe same effective as a storage means for air under pressure. Moreover,by providing the securing fabric strips 10 and 30 and drawing them overthe upper portions of the body, the upper corner or bent portions of thebody are protected by an extra thickness of material produced by thejointure of the upholfstering pieces and overlap of the latter withrelation to the said securing strip.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A seat cushion of the class specified, comprising a chambered body toreceive air under pressure and having a top and bottom spaced apart andformed of a composite rubber fabric, a rubber web extending from theopposite end and side edges of the top and secured to the latter byvulcanization and forming a flush joint with the said composite top, therubber Web extending around and secured to the bottom of the body, afabric strip attached to the end and side portions of the top of thebody, and an upholstering covering comprising top and side and endpieces having their edges fastened to said strip, the. end and sideportions of the upholstering covering also being extended under thebottom of the body.

2. A seat cushion of the class specified, comprising a chambered bodyhaving top, bottom, end and side portions serving as enclosing means forthe chamber, the top and bottom of the body being formed of compositerubber fabric and the sides and ends being a rubber strip secured byvulcanization flush with the top of the body and also secured to thebottom of the latter, a fabric securing strip fastened to the end andside edge portions of the top and normally having the outer edge thereofprojecting loosely beyond the said latter portions, and an upholsteringcovering for the body having a top piece attached to said strip and theremaining portion of the covering attached to the edges of the top andthe strip to maintain the said covering in proper stressed condition,the strip with the edge portions of the upholstering covering forming aprotecting means over the upper edge portions of the body of thecushion.

3. A seat cushion of the class specified, comprising a chambered bodyfor receiving air under pressure, the top and bottom body members beingyieldable and composed of composite rubber fabric to equally distributethe weight pressure and avoid distortion, a strip being secured to thetop and bottom of the body member and forming the sides and ends of thesaid body, a fabric securing strip fastened to the top and extendingpartially over the latter and having its outer edge projecting beyondthe ends and sides of the body, and an upholstering covering having atop piece attached to the outer normally free edge of the said strip,the remainingportion of the covering being attached to the end and sideedge portions of the said top piece and to the st'rip and tautly drawnover the end and side port-ions of the body.

4. In a cushion of the class specified, a chambered body to receive airunder pressure, said body having top and bottom mem bers composed ofrubber compound fabric, the side and end portions of the body beingformed of rubber and continued from and vulcanized flush with the top ofthe body and secured under the edge portions of the bottom member of thebody, and an upholstering covering having a fastening means at the endand side edge portions of the top and enclosing the said top and sideand end portions of the body.

5. In a cushion of the class specified, a body comprising top and bottommembers formed of rubber fabric compound and spaced apart, end and sideclosing webs vulcanized and secured to the top and flush with the latterand also secured against the bottom of the body and formed of rubber, acentral yielding imperforate partition extending transversely with,relation to the body and secured to the top and bot-tom members andthereby forming chambers to receive air under compression, anupholstering covering secured over the top member of the body and alsoover the end and side web portions and attached under the bottom memberof the body, air valves extending through the end portions of the weband upholstering and communicating with the chambers, and

`bottom frames secured to the bottommember of the body and enclosing thelower edges of the said web and also the lower edges of the upholsteringcovering.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

MUERK E. WHITE.

